flattery

noun flat·tery \ ˈfla-tə-rē \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Examples: flattery in a Sentence

Definition of flattery

plural flatteries

1 a : the act or practice of flattering

She uses the art of flattery to her advantage.

b (1) : something that flatters

A compliment is flattery …
—Harry Shaw

(2) : insincere or excessive praise

He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.

2 obsolete : a pleasing self-deception

See flattery defined for English-language learners

See flattery defined for kids

Examples of flattery in a Sentence

He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
a talk show host who is known for charming her guests with disingenuous flattery

Recent Examples of flattery from the Web

The test is notoriously tough, but political flattery can help.

— The Economist, "Some Western universities see merit in China’s flawed exam," 28 June 2018
But the nauseating flattery Trump lavished on this mass murderer did little to promote those interests.

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "Trump thinks his personal relationships with dictators will save the world. He's wrong | Trudy Rubin," 15 June 2018
Yet one thing is new in the burgeoning Trump-Kim relationship: face-to-face flattery.

— jeremy diamond, jeff zeleny and kevin liptak, CNN, "Trump resets the world stage," 13 June 2018
Rather than approach Kim as a pariah, Trump showered him with respect and even flattery, enthused to shake hands with a monstrous figure in part, perhaps, because his monstrosity is his source of power.

— erica werner, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Republican senators only willing to go so far in challenging Trump on trade," 12 June 2018
Rather than approach Kim as a pariah, Trump showered him with respect and even flattery, enthused to shake hands with a monstrous figure in part, perhaps, because his monstrosity is his source of power.

— philip rucker, Anchorage Daily News, "In a bid for history, Trump flatters North Korea's totalitarian leader," 12 June 2018
But imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery.

— adam stanton, Scientific American, "Why Do Robots Look Like Animals and Humans?," 5 June 2018
Imitation may be a form of flattery, but UCF fans want to be sure no one assumes the Las Vegas NHL expansion team came up with the idea first.

— iliana limón romero, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF fans take issue with Las Vegas Golden Knights' national anthem twist," 29 May 2018
Chinese leaders have long used flattery to court American politicians -- and the current commander in chief seems especially susceptible to such an approach.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "The Trump presidency is a win for China," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flattery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flattery

see ¹flatter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flattery Synonyms

Synonyms

adulation, blarney, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk;

Near Antonyms

bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down;

caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects;

adoration, idolatry, worship;

fawning, sycophancy, toadying;

cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm;

acclaim, applause, commendation, praise;

FLATTERY Defined for English Language Learners

flattery

noun

Definition of flattery for English Language Learners

: praise that is not sincere

FLATTERY Defined for Kids

flattery

noun flat·tery \ ˈfla-tə-rē \

Definition of flattery for Students

plural flatteries

: praise that is not deserved or meant

Learn More about flattery

See words that rhyme with flattery Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flattery Spanish Central: Translation of flattery Nglish: Translation of flattery for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flattery for Arabic speakers

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flattery

Definition of flattery

Examples of flattery in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flattery from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flattery

flattery Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

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FLATTERY Defined for English Language Learners

flattery

Definition of flattery for English Language Learners

FLATTERY Defined for Kids

flattery

Definition of flattery for Students

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